Victoria Falls
Discover Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls is a town in the western portion of Zimbabwe, across the border from Livingstone, Zambia, and near Botswana. The town lies immediately next to the falls, and they are the major attraction, but this popular tourist destination offers both adventure seekers and sightseers plenty of opportunities for a longer stay. No doubt about it, Mosi-oa-Tunya (meaning "The Smoke That Thunders") – but more commonly known as Victoria Falls – is one of the most amazing sights in the world. The Falls are twice as tall as Niagara Falls, and several times longer. Although not the highest, widest or greatest volume of water, they have the largest sheet of water for any fall in the world, and are a sight not to be missed.
What to Experience in Victoria Falls
Taste of Victoria Falls...
The centre has a few coffee shops, sandwich shops, and fast food options. For a few US dollars, you can feed an entire family. All of the hotels have restaurants, and it is common to sample a new one each night. One place not to miss for a sundowner: The Victoria Falls Safari Lodge offers à-la-carte dinner, and the Boma offers an all-you-can-eat buffet dinner with authentic African dancing (US$45 excluding drinks, July 2019). The Ilala Lodge has a nice a la carte restaurant (a bit overpriced for the portions served; and the In-da-Belly Restaurant located in the camp site is a nice place to have simple meal and hang out at the pool and meet overland travellers from around the world. There are Pick N Pay and OK supermarkets in town. Pick n Pay accept credit cards. Drinks and take-away food, snacks, camping supplies, are available. Victoria Falls is not known anymore for its tremendous nightlife. There are a few small bars near the town centre, but they are not well-lit. It might be fun to stop in, but be careful. Alternatively, all the hotels feature huge, well-stocked bars. However, the prices will be higher, and you might not feel that you are in Africa anymore. There are many types of accommodation in Victoria Falls. You can certainly find what you are looking for. Some of the accommodation options are not really in Victoria Falls so be careful, if booking in advance. Dorm beds from $15 a night. Camping from $8 pp per night.
A Rich Past
Explore the historical roots that shaped Victoria Falls into what it is today.
It took thousands of years of erosion for Victoria Falls to appear as and where it does now. Mosi-oa-Tunya, or "the smoke that thunders” only became known to the western world as Victoria Falls after David Livingstone first set eyes on this astonishing natural wonder in 1855, a heartbeat ago in geological time. During the Jurassic Period (150-200 million years ago) volcanic activity resulted in thick basalt deposits covering large parts of Southern Africa. As the lava cooled and solidified, cracks appeared in the hard basalt crust, which were filled with softer clay and lime. About 2 million years ago, the land between Zimbabwe and the Kalahari Desert was lifted by the same series of earth movements that caused the Great African Rift Valley to the north. This blocked the flow of what was then the upper Limpopo River, which began to fill up a vast inland sea called Lake Makgadikgadi in the region of modern Botswana. This began to overflow in a new course over Zimbabwe's basalt plateau about 20,000 years ago. Erosion by the mighty Zambezi River cut through the softer materials in the hard basalt, forming the first of a series of waterfalls. Over the last 20,000 years, the falls have receded 8 km upstream, as the Zambezi carved its way through seven linked gorges. This geological history can be seen in the dark basalt in the sheer rocky walls of gorges below the Falls....
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsNational Railways of Zimbabwe service was suspended during the Covid-19 pandemic, and remains suspended as of July 2024. Trains from Zambia across the spectacular Zambezi Bridge have been suspended for a few years; however, catching a train to Livingstone and then continuing by taxi is a possibility. The roads within Zimbabwe are relatively good. The most direct way to Victoria Falls overland is from Bulawayo. There is a good road network from the South African border at Beit Bridge right through to the Falls. It's possible to drive in through Livingstone. Crossing an international border with a vehicle, however, will incur extra costs like carbon tax and insurance. Very annoying is the time consuming and disorganised procedure of obtaining a 'temporary import permit' for the car at the Zambian border posts. Once at the Zimbabwe border post, the whole procedure is to be repeated, though it is a bit faster but also expensive....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
If you stay in the swanky hotels downtown, or even some of the budget accommodation options just outside the downtown area, walking is manageable. Most of the places are no more than 3 km away from Victoria Falls. Some of the hotels in Victoria Falls are not really in Vic Falls, but most of these have their own transfer services. Cabs are plentiful, and should not cost more than $6 for a ride. The obvious thing to see is of course the Victoria Falls, also known as Mosi-oa-Tunya (The Smoke That Thunders) and Shungu Namutitima (Boiling Water) in Lozi and Tonga languages respectively. Considered one of the seven natural wonder of the world. Watch and listen to the roar of 1088m³/second of water plunge into a 100m gorge below. The fall is shared by Zimbabwe and Zambia (the Zambian side is covered in the article for Livingstone). Both sides preserve the natural rainforest which is present because of the continuous spray from the falls. Prices for activities vary.
Where to Stay
There are many types of accommodation in Victoria Falls. You can certainly find what you are looking for. Some of the accommodation options are not really in Victoria Falls so be careful, if booking in advance. Dorm beds from $15 a night. Camping from $8 pp per night. You can get a haircut at the Victoria Falls Hotel salon, but it's not good. US$25, cash only. For other hair salons, turn off the main road by the Shearwater Cafe. You can expect to be met by tourist police on your arrival in Victoria Falls. They are plentiful around the town and the falls and can be trusted. You can identify them by their yellow vests. Zimbabwe is very keen to keep tourists safe following a period of instability which saw visitors at risk, and tourists on the Zimbabwean side drop dramatically. Sometimes it feels like there are more tourist police than tourists.
Money & Budget
Victoria Falls is not cheap, especially if you want to do any activities. As of April 2023, Zimbabwean ATMs dispense US dollars, the de facto currency of the country. Singles are difficult to come across but shops and restaurants can break the $100 notes from the ATM. In Zambia, you can withdraw kwacha and change to US dollars. You will need cash for things like accommodation, and visas. For activities, you can pay by credit card in US$. Some of the supermarkets also accept credit cards and will bill you in US$. Outside Victoria Falls, foreign credit cards are rarely accepted. There is substantial opportunity to shop in Victoria Falls, and you can find a good deal.
Safety Information
Safety Overview
You can expect to be met by tourist police on your arrival in Victoria Falls. They are plentiful around the town and the falls and can be trusted. You can identify them by their yellow vests. Zimbabwe is very keen to keep tourists safe following a period of instability which saw visitors at risk, and tourists on the Zimbabwean side drop dramatically. Sometimes it feels like there are more tourist police than tourists. If you are staying at one of the resorts, it is likely that the guards at the resorts will keep an eye on you on the paths to the falls until you are within site of the tourist police. Touts are aggressive and desperate and best avoided. They keep a distance from the tourist police and guards. The markets are safe, and the traders there are very polite and keen for your trade. The path along the side of the river to the Victoria Falls hotel from the falls is not safe to walk after dark.
Nearby Destinations
Glimpses of Victoria Falls
waterfalls on brown rocky mountain during sunset
Awe-inspiring waterfalls of Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.
Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe
a bridge over a river with a waterfall below
Devil's Pool, Victoria Falls. The rough texture is not noise, it is water spray!
The magnificent waterfalls of Victoria in Zimbabwe.
A majestic view of the Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe
a view of a waterfall from a distance
a group of people riding on top of a yellow raft
Niagara Falls
waterfalls on brown rocky mountain during sunset
Awe-inspiring waterfalls of Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.
Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe